Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Personal Care with Linear Data Combining Attributes

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including a personal care display device having a plurality of connection ports is provided, each connection port configured to physically interconnect with a hardware personal care module, wherein personal care comprises health care, and a remote central server device arrangement. The user may freely substitute selected and different hardware personal care modules in the plurality of connection ports. The apparatus includes an interactive diary interactive diary configured to collect information regarding personal care assessed for the user over a period of time using at least one personal care module and enable the personal care device to make recommendations related to and based upon the information collected regarding personal care.

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/952,424, entitled “Method and Apparatus forEnhanced Personal Care with Interactive Diary,” inventor Ayman Salem,filed Nov. 25, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/080,021, inventor Ayman Salem, entitled“Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Personal Care,” filed Nov. 14, 2013,the entirety of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to personal care, and morespecifically enabling a user to monitor, assess, maintain, receive, andtrack information to improve personal care and lifestyle attributes,including but not limited to user health, physical appearance, fashion,fitness/sports, cosmetics and wellness.

Description of the Related Art

People seek to improve or at least maintain their personal care on adaily basis. Whether monitoring their own personal health, appearance,fitness/sports, or wellness, for example, people purchase and use anarray of products and services. In the area of health care andmaintenance alone, people may be taking a series of medications, mayneed to be monitored on a regular basis for a condition, may have aninjury that needs to be evaluated for progress, and so forth. Each ofthese wellness tasks requires a different product or service. Anindividual may need to make a trip to a physician, then to a pharmacistto obtain a prescription, may need to purchase over-the-counter healthcare products, and may require a long term care giver to providenecessary personal care. At a later time, the individual may need toobtain further products or services—sometimes as frequently as on adaily basis.

Other areas of personal care, such as cosmetics, wardrobe and so forth,also require a series of products and/or services, and in some instancesrecommendations or decisions, to carry out and achieve a desired levelof personal care. People have previously needed to locate and thenobtain all necessary personal care products and services from a myriadof sources, typically requiring traveling to multiple locations, makingpurchases from several web sites, and/or generally spending a great dealof time and effort to maintain their personal appearance and well-being.In some instances, the desired product or service can be difficult orimpossible to obtain due to mass production constraints or other.Therefore industry products are not personalized as such.

Further, previous devices do not offer an ability to track informationin an efficient manner, namely information associated with the personalcare requirements of the individual in a manner that can be relativelyeasily navigated and can be utilized by the user to facilitate and/orimprove his or her personal care.

Another issue with currently available equipment is the ability to trackpatient/user vital signs and information and when appropriate,administer beneficial treatments to the patient/user. A further issue isthe ability to administer medications in a controlled and convenientmanner, with connection to a central system.

Further, standards of healthcare delivery are strictly adhered to at amedical facility or a doctor's office, while consumers or patients athome are totally left to their own, leading to a fragmented healthcaredelivery loop with high costs shouldered by all participants. Closingthe loop and bridging the fragmented portion at home with a robust homecare and personal wellness system may have positive personal andsocietal impacts.

It would be highly beneficial if multiple aspects of personal care couldbe obtained from a readily accessible system or device, where such asystem could provide personalized care directed to the specific needs ordesires of an individual user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present design, there is provided anapparatus comprising a personal care display device comprising aplurality of connection ports, each connection port configured tophysically interconnect with a hardware personal care module, whereinpersonal care comprises health care, and a remote central server devicearrangement. The personal care display device is configured to transmituser personal care communications personalized to the user to andreceive user personal care communications personalized to the user fromthe remote central server device arrangement, for the user to freelysubstitute selected and different hardware personal care modules in theplurality of connection ports, and to maintain an interactive diary forthe user, the interactive diary configured to collect informationregarding personal care assessed for the user over a period of timeusing at least one personal care module and enable the personal caredevice to make recommendations related to and based upon the informationcollected regarding personal care. One hardware personal care modulecomprises a health care personal care module used with the personal caredisplay device to assess user health care needs and provide health careinformation and recommendations specifically for the user to the user.

According to another aspect of the present design, there is provided amethod for facilitating personal care of a user, comprising receiving,at a remote central server device arrangement, user personal care datapersonalized to the user transmitted by a user personal care displaydevice, determining at the remote central server device arrangement auser personal care recommendation specifically for the user based on theuser personal care data personalized to the user received, transmittingthe user personal care recommendation specifically for the user from atransmitter provided with the remote central server device to the userpersonal care display device, and maintaining an interactive diary forthe user, the interactive diary configured to collect informationregarding personal care assessed for the user over a period of timeusing at least one personal care module and enable the personal caredevice to make recommendations related to and based upon the informationcollected regarding personal care. The user personal care display devicecomprises a plurality of connection ports, each connection portconfigured to receive a hardware personal care module. Personal care inthis embodiment comprises health care. One personal care modulecomprises a health care personal care module used with the personal caredisplay device to assess user health care needs and provide health careinformation and recommendations specifically for the user to the user.

According to a further embodiment, there is provided a personal caredisplay device comprising a computing device display and a housingsurrounding the computing device display, the housing comprising aplurality of connection ports configured to physically interconnect withhardware personal care modules, wherein personal care comprises healthcare. The personal care device is configured to maintain an interactivediary for the user, the interactive diary configured to collectinformation regarding personal care assessed for the user over a periodof time using at least one personal care module and enable the personalcare device to make recommendations related to and based upon theinformation collected regarding personal care. One hardware personalcare module comprises a health care personal care module used with thepersonal care display to assess user health care needs and providehealth care information and recommendations specifically for the user tothe user.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art from the following detailed description ofthe invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to similar items throughout the figures:

FIG. 1 is a general system overview of the present design;

FIG. 2A illustrates a rectangular embodiment of one aspect of thepresent design;

FIG. 2B illustrates an oval embodiment according to another aspect ofthe present design;

FIG. 3 is a general representation of certain components employed in thepresent design;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a device similar to that shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a rear view of an embodiment of the device;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate apparatus including a set of separate USBreceptacles that may be provided as an alternative to or in addition tothe receptacles or slots provided on the device;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a magnification camera that may beemployed with or provided as a module;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a sensing bracelet that may be employedwith or provided as a module in accordance with the present design;

FIG. 8 illustrates a tape measure that may be employed as or inaccordance with a module in the present design;

FIG. 9 is a reflective band or strap 901 that may be employed inassociation with a module;

FIG. 10 shows a spirometer arrangement that may be employed as part ofthe present design;

FIG. 11 illustrates a portable scale that may be used with the presentdesign;

FIG. 12 is a pill dispenser that may be employed with the presentdesign;

FIG. 13 shows a representative caliper that may be used with the presentdesign;

FIG. 14 illustrates a handheld unit that may be used with the presentdesign;

FIG. 15 is a simple functional example/flow diagram of use of a scalemodule;

FIG. 16 illustrates an appearance of a screen operating in accordancewith the interactive diary function;

FIG. 17 shows one embodiment of general operation of the interactivediary function;

FIG. 18 is an embodiment of the health band design according to thepresent design;

FIG. 19 shows an alternate health band embodiment;

FIG. 20 illustrates a dispenser according to the present design;

FIG. 21 is a prescription tray according to one embodiment of thepresent design; and

FIG. 22 shows alternate representations of the dispenser apparatus usedwith the prescription tray(s) disclosed.

The exemplification set out herein illustrates particular embodiments,and such exemplification is not intended to be construed as limiting inany manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description and the drawings illustrate specificembodiments sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to practicethe system and method described. Other embodiments may incorporatestructural, logical, process and other changes. Examples merely typifypossible variations. Individual components and functions are generallyoptional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations mayvary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in orsubstituted for those of others.

In general, the present invention includes personal care system thatemploys modular hardware configured to offer personal care information,products, and services directed to a specific user. The present designmay take the form of a device including a mirror having processing andcommunication capability and configured with a plurality of connectionpoints, the connection points allowing personal care modules to beconnected to the device. Additional functionality may be provided withthe mirror in a central or main hardware component. In this manner, anindividual can maintain a device at her residence or place of work orelsewhere that can be configured to meet her personal care needs.

The system may include a portable device configured to be taken with theuser, while traveling locally or long distance, and connect with thebase device such that the user may record desired information andprovide the information to the base location at a later time.

Additionally, the present system may include a communications network,which may be server or cloud based, wherein the user can store personalcare information, obtain personal care information such asrecommendations specific to the user, may schedule and receivereminders, and so forth.

FIG. 1 is a general system overview of the present design. From FIG. 1,network 100 includes a processing and storage site 101, also referred toas a remote device arrangement herein, configured to communicate withand receive communications from personal care devices 102 a-h.Communication may be effectuated between the processing and storage site101 and the personal care devices 102 a-h in any manner known andavailable, including but not limited to internet connectivity via wire,wireless (802.11a/b/n/g, Wi fi), cellular, and or other communicationmeans. While a single processing and storage site 101 is shown, it is tobe understood that more than one such site may be employed and more thanone such site may carry out some of the functionality disclosed herein.

In general, information about an individual's personal care may beobtained at a personal care device, e.g. personal care device 102 b, andthis information may be communicated to processing and storage site 101.Information about personal care generally falls into five categories,but other categories may be employed or provided, the five categoriesincluding health, fitness/wellness, fashion, cosmetics, andpharmaceuticals. While personal care device 102 b may offer suchcapabilities, a user may or may not employ all capabilities. A user maysimply wish to employ the present design for health purposes.Information obtained may be manually entered by the user or obtainedusing a set of readings or information obtained at the device, and/orinformation may be provided to the personal care device 102 b from theprocessing and storage site. As an example, blood pressure readings maybe made by the user using the personal care device, the blood pressureinformation may be provided from the personal care device 102 b to theprocessing and storage site 101, and the processing and storage site 101may provide a recommendation back to the user, even something asinnocuous as “You have a slightly elevated blood pressure. The followingmay be potential meal suggestions for the coming days.” As may beunderstood, any type of interaction between the user, user device 102 b,and processing and storage site 101 may be employed as desirable, suchas determining the user's body type and recommending clothing for theuser, determining skin tone and making a recommendation for particularskin care and/or cosmetic purchases, and so forth.

One embodiment of the present design is presented in FIG. 2A. The device200 includes a central element 201, typically a mirror that operates asa display screen as well. Such devices are available from, for example,Ox-Home (ox-home.com) or Samsung, with the Samsung product called theLED mirror TV. Edge element 202 may be provided and made from anysuitable material, and shown in FIG. 2A are cameras 203 a-1, microphones204 a and 204 b, speakers 205 a-d, and sensor, voice, or fingerprintreader 206. The sensor may be any type of sensor (biometric, heat, orotherwise), and a voice recognition component may be present, operatingseparately or using microphones 204 a and 204 b together with voicerecognition software. Also shown in this view is an optional pilldispenser tray 207. While a certain number of components are shown inFIG. 2A, it is to be understood that any number of components may beemployed and the invention is not so limited.

The user may stand in front of device 200 and view her reflection. Shemay verify her identity using fingerprint reader 206, where fingerprintreader 206 may connect to a processor as discussed below and may be ableto verify a user's identity. Device 200 may photograph or visuallyrecord the user using one or more of cameras 203 a-1. The user may speakwords that may be received by microphones 204 a and 204 b, and thedevice 200 may speak words or provide audio information using speakers205 a-d.

Not shown in FIG. 2A is a series of connection slots in the device,typically in the FIG. 2A embodiment positioned on the outer edges of thedevice. The connection slots enable the user to connect modules havingspecialized functionality to the device for the purpose of facilitatingpersonal care. A user can plug one or more modules into the device andcan obtain desired functionality at a given point in time, such as amodule to determine blood pressure, to determine weight (e.g. aconnection to a scale), determine glucose level, and/or to trackphysical activity, among other functions. One example of connectionslots in the device is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, but anytype of connectivity may be provided. For example, the device 200 mayinclude a receiver or transceiver while a remote device or module mayinclude a transmitter or transceiver, or the device 200 may include aconnection slot for a receiver or transceiver, with connectivity to thedevice 200 provided via a slot, such as a USB slot.

Device 200 may provide wireless or wired connectivity, includingreception of wireless signals or transmission of wireless signals, andmay offer any other type of connectivity to a remote computing device asmay be known in the art.

FIG. 2B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device. The device250 in the FIG. 2B embodiment is oval in shape, again with a centralscreen 251 that is both a mirror and a display. Edge element 252 may beprovided and made from any suitable material, and cameras 253 a-f,microphones 254 a and 254 b, speakers 255 a-d, sensor, voice, orfingerprint reader 256 are provided. Also shown in this embodiment aretwo modules 257 and 258, each providing functionality as describedherein. While a generally rectangular and a generally oval shape deviceis shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, any form or type of device that providesthe functionality described may be provided.

While shown as an integrated device in FIGS. 2A and 2B, it is to beunderstood that the present design may also include a conversion kitthat may employ a plasma or LCD/LED television, including an outer framethat will be able to attach to the central screen and may includecameras, USB outlets and hardware such as a processor, storage, internetconnectivity, and/or other pertinent functional components. A programmay be provided that allows the user's television to operate in themanner discussed herein. Further, the present device may be incorporatedinto a piece of furniture, or into a wall, or into any type of otherapparatus, either using the full device such as the embodiments shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B or as the aforementioned kit or part of the kit. Thedevice may in various instances be mounted to a wall using mountinghardware known in the art.

A general view of the electronics employed in the present design isshown in FIG. 3. From FIG. 3, device 200 includes a processor 301connected to a storage device, such as a memory device 302, and isconnected to display 201. The device may include wired or wirelessconnectivity, shown as element 303. Wireless signals may be transmittedfrom and received by the device and provided to the processor 301.Connections are provided to multiple connection slots, here shown asconnection slots 304 a-g. Any number of connection slots may beprovided, and these may be USB slots or any type of connection tomodules available in the art.

The device, such as device 200 or 250, may be open source in the sensethat third parties may manufacture modules or module components that mayinterface with the device. Standards may be provided such that modulesmay be produced and desired functionality provided in conjunction withthe device and its component parts. Further, the modules may be employedwith devices already available, such as a blood pressure module usedwith an existing blood pressure cuff or other blood pressure evaluationapparatus.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a device similar to that shown inFIG. 2A, where device 400 includes various openings or ports, such asUSB ports, 402 a-e. FIG. 4B is a rear view of an embodiment of thedevice 450, including an electrical connector 451 and a pill dispenser452. The pill dispenser may be a removable feature and may beconstructed to accept pills at a given time, with information providedto the processor as to how many and what type pills have been provided,and pills may be commanded to be dispensed by the processor, such as onepill per day if one pill per day is required. A handle 453 is providedsuch that the owner or some other individual can remove the dispenser orpull the dispenser out for purposes of restocking the dispenser. A tray454 is provided such that pills or medications dispensed can be providedtoward the front of the device and are easily accessible to the user.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate apparatus including a set of separate USBreceptacles that may be provided as an alternative to or in addition tothe receptacles or slots provided on the device. The apparatus 501 ofFIG. 5A, and the other apparatus 502 and 503 shown in FIGS. 5B and C,may be separate from the device and/or may connect to the device viawired or wireless communication. Apparatus 501 of FIG. 5A includes fourports or slots, apparatus 502 of FIG. 5B includes eight ports or slots,while apparatus 503 of FIG. 5C may include twelve ports or slots.Processing functionality may be provided in apparatus 501, 502, or 503,and the user may insert functional modules into the slots provided.Based on the module inserted, data may be collected, or data may becollected and transmitted to the device, such as device 200 in FIG. 2,for processing and/or further processing. As shown in bottom view 505 ofFIG. 5A, a slot 504 may be provided for powering apparatus 501. Theseparate handheld unit described below may include port arrangementssimilar to those illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C, and a handle 505 orother carrying feature may be provided with the apparatus.

As may be appreciated, any number of functional personal care modulesmay be provided. As an example, devices to measure pulse rate, bloodpressure, body temperature, and so forth may be provided, each withconnectivity back to the device, such as device 200. FIG. 6 illustratesan example of a magnification camera 600 that may be provided for anynumber of uses, including but not limited to examining skin regions,oral examinations, and so forth. Magnification camera 600 includes anopen area 601, a set of lights, such as LED (light emitting diode)and/or other lights of different wave lengths (e.g. ultraviolet or blacklight) employed 602 around the periphery of the interior of themagnification camera, and photographic element 603. The bottom viewillustrates a port connection 604, such as a USB connection.

The device may be provided with a module or modules having an ability toread a barcode, including but not limited to a camera such asmagnification camera 600. Any type of barcode or QR code or other codeknown in the art may be employed and may be read. Such scanningfunctionality enables the device to perform a variety of functions,including but not limited to reading prescription bottles, readingmedical products, reading clothing tags and labels, reading cosmetics,reading containers of vitamins, and so forth.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a sensing bracelet 700 that may beemployed with a module in accordance with the present design. Sensingmay be provided for pulse, temperature, and/or other pertinentmeasurements related to the individual. As an example, the sensingbracelet 700 may include lockable components such as teeth that enableresizing of the sensing bracelet 700. Sensing bracelet may also includea reflective coating or other marker enabling the device to sense theposition of the bracelet and hence the user's arm. Such sensingcapability may enhance the ability of the device to determine exerciseperformance and other pertinent information. FIG. 8 illustrates a tapemeasure 800 including a static reflective bead 801, an adjustablereflective bead 802, and a reflective position stop 803, enabling themeasurement of anything, including but not limited to body parts,clothing, hair, separation of feet, and so forth. While FIGS. 7 and 8 donot include connections to modules or the main device, it is understoodthat such components may either be separate or may be connected by wire,or wirelessly (Bluetooth, etc.) to the device or a module asappropriate. In certain instances, minimal or no connection may beprovided, such as no physical connection but an ability for the device,via microphone, camera, etc., to determine position of particularcomponents. In FIG. 8, for example, tape measure 800 may not beconnected by wire or wirelessly to a module or the device, but thedevice may employ a camera to determine positions of the staticreflective bead 801, adjustable reflective bead 802, and/or reflectivestop point 803 and use the measurement to determine the size of adesired object or objects.

FIG. 9 illustrates a reflective band or strap 901 that may be used tomeasure head parameters, including temperature, EEG, sweat, and soforth, and may include massage beads. Reflective measuring markers, suchas lines or points, may be provided. FIG. 10 illustrates a spirometer1000, mouthpiece 1001, and a bottle or container 1002 marked withmeasurement markings, typically reflective, and including a measurementball 1003, also typically reflective. FIG. 11 illustrates a portablescale 1100, employed to weigh applicable items as well as acting as aturntable where a user can stand in front of the personal care deviceand the turn table rotates the individual to any desired degree ofrotation needed. This can also be used as a base for an inflatable ornon-inflatable mannequin of the user for purposes of digitizing garmentsof clothes, accessories or otherwise implementing physical organ changeson the mannequin prior to desired change on the consumer for example butno limited to the suggested sites of body part enhancements or wrinklestreatment with Botox.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pill dispenser 1200, including a lockedcompartment 1201 for controlled substances, having programmabledispensing windows 1202 a-g configured to control disbursement of pills,a tray or holder 1203, manual pill dispensing buttons 1204, and afingerprint security reader 1205. The pill dispenser 1201 may be removedfrom the device and brought to a qualified individual, such as apharmacist or pharmacist assistant, who can provide pills and/orcontrolled substances for use by the user. Sufficient security isprovided, such as using fingerprint security reader 1205 or other device(sensor, voice recognition, etc.) and manual pill dispensing buttons1204 and the programmable dispensing windows, where ten suchprogrammable dispensing windows are shown in FIG. 12 and programmabledispensing windows 1202 a and 12021 are identified. In this arrangement,the user and only the user or an individual identified as responsiblefor the user can obtain the necessary pills and/or medications. Whileshown as a pill dispenser, other forms may be taken to dispense bottles,a door that can be opened and closed with sensing provided, and/or otherappropriate containment and disbursement hardware. Pill dispensing mayentail the device reading a barcode label of the pills being insertedinto pill dispenser 1200, and the device may receive and/or provide pillcount, dosage, warnings and related indications.

FIG. 13 illustrates a representative caliper 1300, including reflectivetips 1301 a and 1301 b and telescopic arms 1302 a and 1302 b meeting atjointed element 1303. An alternative caliper is shown as caliper 1304.Reflective points may be provided.

FIG. 14 illustrates a handheld unit 1400. Handheld unit may be carriedby the user or other appropriate person for various purposes, includingbut not limited to collecting data at a remote location, such as a gym,and/or transferring data to a remote location, such as a third party'scomputing device. Processing functionality is typically offered in thehandheld unit 1400, and the handheld unit 1400 typically takes the formof a smartphone or other appropriate handheld device. As shown in FIG.14, handheld unit 1400 includes a microphone or microphones 1401 a and1401 b, a thermal camera 1402, a 3D camera 1403, and a biometric camera1404, screen 1405 which may or may not be a mirror screen as with thedevice, and speakers 1406 a and 1406 b. Screen 1405 may be a touchscreen or may be used as a sensor. On the back of the handheld unit 1400may be provided a stand 1407. A sensor (not shown) similar to the sensoron the device may be provided for authentication purposes (fingerprint,voice, biometric, etc.), or the screen 1405 may be used as a sensor forauthentication purposes.

Not shown is the ability of the handheld unit 1400 to connect wirelesslyor by wire to either the Internet, a cellular service, or othercommunication service, and the functionality provided may include theability to collect user data and report the user data to the deviceand/or obtain user data from the device and/or a remote server or remotearrangement and convey the information to the user or provide theinformation to a third party. Data may be collected and downloaded at alater time to the device when within range of or communicativelyconnected to the device, such as device 200. Certain module connectivitymay be provided such as via a port or connection.

The handheld unit 1400 may be incorporated into an existing device, suchas an automobile part (armrest, headrest, dashboard, console, etc.) orairplane part (armrest, headrest, etc.) or any other type of device. Thehandheld unit 1400 may be incorporated into devices such as gym bags,purses, clothing (coats, etc.), or even pieces of furniture or otherapparatus.

Additionally, but not shown in the foregoing illustrations, a keyboard,either hardware or software, may be provided with the device, such asdevice 200, or with the handheld unit 1400 such that the user may enterinformation, request processing, request uploading or downloading ofinformation, and so forth.

Modules provided may include one or more of the following and/or anyother combination of devices and/or functionality generally directed topersonal care. Modules may include 3D camera-user recognition,recognition of the user using a three dimensional camera or multiplecameras (3D, planar, or holographic), enabling creation of an avatar orvirtual avatar of the user, a thermal camera module configured to detectbody heat of user, as well as user movements and health relatedtemperatures, a biometric camera module, a scale similar to that shownin FIG. 11 to determine weight, fat, visceral fat, water and musclecontent of user, and a heart monitor module configured to determine andprovide the heart rate and ECG of the user, track activity of the useras well as changes in heart rate during exercise and/or for the purposeof providing medical alerts. Other modules may include a glucose meterto take blood sugar readings and track blood sugar of the user and maybe employed with a medical alert, an oximeter or oximeters that monitorsoxygen levels of the user, also possibly used in conjunction with amedical alert, and a blood pressure module that takes blood pressurereadings and tracks user blood pressure and may be used with a medicalalert. In the present design, connectivity to the device, such as device200 is provided, and the modules may take any form, such as a smallelectronic component connected by wire or wirelessly or by any otherfunctional connection to a device, such as in the case of a bloodpressure monitor to a blood pressure cuff and inflation device, togetherwith a sensor that senses the blood pressure once the cuff is inflatedto the required level.

Medical alert and home alert capabilities may be provided as the devicemay listen for trigger words as “HELP” or “911.” The device may alsoprovide or be connected to a portable panic button.

Functionality and modules provided may also include retinae scannersenabling the identification of the user as well as monitoring eye healthand changes, and a finger print reader or readers usable as a securityfeature and providing temperate reading and other health screeningtests.

Modules may take any form, but as an example, they may be theapproximate size of a modern car key module and may have a lithium orother appropriate battery in addition to the USB connectivity for bothcharging and data transmission purposes.

During operation, the present design may employ the video screen of thedevice and/or the portable unit to display graphical information,alerts, data collected from the modules and/or related devices and mayprovide information in the form of reminders or even commercials. Thedevice may employ infrared reflectography using 3D laser scanning tocreate 3D topographical maps of different body parts (face, muscles,breast, feet, hands, teeth, and so forth) using either reflectedinfrared or lasers of different strengths. Different readings anddifferent algorithms can be employed for different parts of the body,e.g. bumps and lumps on the skin surface, different angles ofinclination, joint range of movement, and so forth.

Modules may be manually or automatically updated the user may choose,via the device, combinations of inputs into the modules. The device mayprovide face recognition capabilities and may be used to recognize thirdparties (family members, caregivers, pets) and may potentially beemployed to sense intruders. The device may take on the attributes andfunctionality of a computing and/or communication device and may beplaced in a sleep mode and awakened through voice activation or otheraudible communication, e.g. finger snap, clap, or even a button. Thedevice can employ the cameras provided to track eye movement and/orfocus on a certain part of the body, and may enlarge the body part ormove it through certain ranges of motion. In the fashion area, a usermay try on a piece of clothing and the screen of the device may ask theuser to turn around and may show the user how the back of the garmentappears. In the cosmetics area, cameras may record multiple versions ofthe same general skin area when the user employs different cosmetics onthe area for the purpose of allowing the user to compare and contrastdifferent cosmetics.

The device typically operates using an open platform that integratesdata input and reception in conjunction with applications specificallydesigned for the device. When using the handheld unit 1400, the user mayhave available a portable accessory to carry one or more modules, suchas a glucometer module if eating or a fitness module (measuring heartrate, movement, etc.) if going to the gym.

In operation, user interaction with the device and/or modules may entailthe collection of data that may be retained at the device, with dataprovided from modules to the device via WiFi, Bluetooth, or through aUSB connection or by any other means known in the art. The processor atthe device may process the data using device formulas and/orapplications and may format the data into graphs, charts, diagrams,virtual assistants and other forms to be displayed to the user via, forexample, the device (2D, 3D, or holographic) screen. The data and/orinformation may be controlled by the user and may be sent from thedevice, such as device 200, to a remote location, i.e. a virtual“cloud,” where the information may be collected, analyzed, and/orstored. Once transmitted to the remote devices, the user information maybe maintained, analyzed, and specific user recommendations orinformation may be transmitted back to the user. As currentlyconfigured, varying levels of service may be provided. As one example, agold/silver/bronze level of service may be provided, wherein bronze issimply maintaining data at a remote site, silver is analyzing data andproviding recommendations, and gold is a concierge type service wherethe user may be provided contact with available personnel (physicians,pharmacists, personal shoppers, cosmetics specialists, optometrists,dentists, etc.) and particular needs will be addressed. Different oralternate levels of service may be provided.

As may be appreciated, virtually any type of information may becollected and/or provided using the device/module arrangement providedherein. The ability for the user to indicate specific needs and desiresvia a keyboard and possibly a mouse, and for the device to displayinformation and act as a mirror enables a virtually unlimited range offunctions. A particular user may wish to receive clothingrecommendations, and may have her skin tone and hair color determined,and clothing color recommendations provided. Body type may bedetermined, and age entered, and age appropriate wardrobe selections maybe provided based on an analysis provided from the remote location.Another user may have a blood sugar issue, and his blood sugar may bemonitored and tracked, and based on his history and desires,recommendations as to what to eat and/or when to eat may be provided tothe device and/or to the handheld unit 1400. Another user may want tomonitor stock quotes and baseball scores in addition to tracking hisprogress on a weight loss program. While providing stock quotes andbaseball scores is not strictly a personal care function, the presentdesign may offer any type of functionality offered by a computing deviceand/or tablet and/or smartphone. Thus the user may be exercising withthe handheld unit 1400 tracking his progress, i.e. time spent exercisingon a treadmill, while the device may display stock quotes or baseballscores. At the end of the user's workout, he may weigh himself using thescale module and may receive meal recommendations and/or a graph of hisexercise progress or weight via the device. Thus single or multiplefunctions and determinations may be provided or made based on functions,applications, and computations available, as well as the needs anddesires of the user, in addition to the functionality provided at theremote device arrangement.

A simple functional example of use of a scale module is presented inFIG. 15. From FIG. 15, the device, and more specifically the cameras onthe device or the fingerprint reader or other device component, detectspresence of the user (e.g. pressing a key on a connected keyboard) atpoint 1501. At point 1502, the device, such as device 200, is activatedand may come out of a sleep or hibernation state as appropriate. Atpoint 1503, the user may ask for an action from the device, in this casechecking the weight of a desired item using a scale. The devicedetermines whether the appropriate module is connected or available,here the portable scale module. If not, the device prompts the user toconnect the module to the device, and the scale module functionality isinitiated as shown in point 1504. Weight information may be provided onthe screen of the device, and specific information may beprovided—commercials, recommendations, graphs of weight readings overtime, most recent weight, and/or other information.

At point 1505, the user weighs the desired item, and the resultantweight is provided to the device, and more specifically the processor inthe device. The screen of the device may display current weight andtracked weight, either graphically or numerically. At point 1506, whichis optional, the device, such as device 200, may transmit theinformation to a remote device arrangement for further processing, suchas determining recommendations for a man the user's age and in theuser's situation. At point 1507, the remote device arrangement may senduser specific information back to the device, such as device 200, forreview and consideration by the user. Emails, text messages, phonemessages, and/or other user selected communication methods may beemployed to inform the user of determinations made at the remote devicearrangement. Certain information may be provided from the remote devicearrangement to the device to enhance operation, such as locally storingrecommendations for the particular user determined at the remote devicearrangement. The device may at that point return to a hibernate or sleepmode or may continue operation as desired.

Functions may vary and may depend on what is required, and as may beappreciated, any list of functions may be changed, improved, reduced, orotherwise altered depending on a variety of factors, including but notlimited to popularity of the functions, needs and desires expressed byusers, use patterns, costs associated with apps and functions, and soforth. Certain functions may be provided either locally, i.e. at thedevice, or remotely, i.e. at the remote device arrangement, or acombination of both. In general, the system, including the device andremote device arrangement, receive information and queries and respondappropriately for personal care issues that arise.

Examples of the determinations made and functions provided are asfollows. In the area of health, lung health may be maintained andmonitored, and the device may determine respiratory rate (RR), CO₂level, lung volume, pulse oximetry, breathing characteristics, jugularvein distension (JVD), pitting edema, and/or body pH level. The devicemay respond with a chart including a degree of hypoxia, a graph with theuser's lung volume as compared to users of similar age and sex, and apitting edema score. In the area of heart health, the device may collectpulse/heart rate, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and EKG values withappropriate modules. The device may determine and/or report a graph, rawdata, and or percentile data, as well as recommendations. In the area ofnose and sinus health, the system, including the device, handheld unit,appropriate modules, and/or remote device arrangement, may analyze thenose for deviations in shape and/or color, flaring, discharge, and nasalpatency. The system may then provide raw data, a digital model of thenose and/or sinus, and provide a percentile, score, and/or chart. In thefield of eye health, the system may assess or determine sclera color,visual acuity, peripheral vision, analyze the pupil, iris, sclera, andso forth, determine eye pressure, redness or dryness, and eyelashevenness, and the system may provide a digital model of the eye, ascoring of quantities such as peripheral vision, raw data, percentilevalues, a chart, and a chart or graph.

Many, if not all, of the health related evaluations may result in acombination of a score or scores, raw data, percentile, and a chart orgraph of the health of the particular site. It is to be understood thatthese and other relevant information (recommendations, warnings,pictures, etc.) may be determined and provided as appropriate, but thatall such determinations may be made and provided when assessing healthparameters.

In the area of ear health, the system, again including the device,handheld unit, appropriate modules, and/or remote device arrangement,may assess the internal ear, including the external, middle, and/orinner ear, analyze the external ear (auricle and pinna), determinedegree of hearing loss, and perform a bone conduction evaluation(Weber/Rinne). Dental or oral care health may include an assessment oflips, inner and buccal mucosa, tongue, mouth floor, teeth and gums, hardand soft palate, salivary glands, and tonsils. Many of the assessmentsdiscussed may be made using a camera or recording device, but others mayrequire modules specially made for the task. Digestive health may beassessed using food intake, stool analysis, BMI (body mass index), andweight. Liver health may be assessed using skin color, sclera color,ammonia levels in urine, level of consciousness, abdominal distension,weight, total body water, skin irritation, activity level, and/or stoolcolor. General hormone balance may be assessed according to a hormonalprofile, activity level, weight gain, EKG, heart rate, mood, level ofanxiety, headaches, and/or sleep pattern. Kidney health may be assessedaccording to daily urine output, blood pressure, glucose level, and/ordegree of edema. Muscle health may be assessed according to strength,tone, size, symmetry, fasciculations, tremors, arm/leg circumference,and activity tolerance.

In the present design, the user may be monitored using a module or theuser may be queried directly or may offer the information requested. Forexample, the user may be queried as to “have you experienced anymuscular tremors in the last week” and she may respond “no.”Alternately, the user may be asked “what has been your activity level inthe last day?” and may provide the user with options (none, mild,moderate, extensive, or quantities, such as ran for 20 minutes). Variousoptions regarding obtaining the necessary information, including thenecessary health information, may be provided. The user does not need toprovide the information—the information may be provided by a third party(caregiver, spouse, etc.)

Nail health may also be assessed, analyzing convex curvature, i.e. theangle between the nail and the nail bed, and in addition to the otherreports and/or information provided to the user, he may receive a graphof a degree of clubbing (normal, early, or late), based on nail bedshape and angle. Testicular health may be assessed according to a painscale, new lumps, heaviness in scrotum region, and/or testicularswelling. Obstetric health may be assessed—weight, heart rate, bloodpressure, portable ultrasound results, fetal heart rate assessment andanalysis, and food intake, for example. Bone health may be assessedaccording to bone density, calcium level, activity level, pain scale,swelling, nutritional intake, and a bone densitometer score. Mentalhealth may be determined by assessing speech recognition, level ofconsciousness (LOC), weakness on one side, blood pressure, visualchanges, and/or NIH score. Ovulation health may be assessed bydetermining a surge in Luteinizing Hormone (LH) urine, analyzingcervical mucus consistency and/or basal body temperature (BBT). Inaddition to the other health information provided (raw data, graphs,charts, etc., ovulation results may include a digital calendar orlisting of best ovulation times.

Spine health may be assessed according to structures or deformities,warmth, swelling, range of motion (ROM), presence of scoliosis, andgait. Joint health may be assessed by evaluating warmth to the area,ROM, swelling, presence of nodules, and/or gait. Skin health may beassessed according to skin turgor, color, skin breakdown, and degree ofedema. Hair health may be assessed according to hair distribution, hairdensity, color, moisture content, dryness, texture, and presence ofinfection and/or infestation. Breast health may be determined based onswelling around the breast and armpit, pain level, changes to nipple,discharge, signs of lumps, and/or menstrual cycle issues. Informationprovided relative to breast health may additionally include a videoshowing a proper breast exam, and a digital model of the breast of theuser or a hypothetical breast, again for examination purposes.

Foot health may be determined by collecting signs of infection, color,hair distribution, skin integrity, and degree of pitting or edema. Inaddition to the other reporting data, the system may provide a digitalmodel of feet or the lower extremities. A general collection ofparameters for the user may occur, including but not limited tocollecting heart rate (HR), temperature (T), basal body temperature(BBT), respiratory rate (RR), SaO2, pulse oximetry, CO2, systolic bloodpressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), urine chemistry, dryblood work, joint ROM, spine flexibility, muscle strength, BMI, totalbody water (as a percentage of body weight) in relation to age and sex,electrocardiogram (EKG), lung capacity (TV, TLC, VC, FRC, RV), heightand weight, and body pH level. These and other pertinent values may becollected and reported and/or continuously tracked.

In the area of fitness and wellness, different module specificinteractions may occur where data is received by the system (device,handheld unit, remote device arrangement, module(s)) and certaininformation assessed and provided. In the area of fitness, the systemmay collect or receive user goals, weight loss values (current ordesired), general fitness, preparation for an athletic event, musclebuilding, and rehabilitation from injury. Output may include anindividualized fitness program as well as graphs and charts andrecommendations. In the area of body building, height, weight, neck,chest, upper arm, waist, hips, and any other relevant area may bemeasured, and information about body fat provided as well as changes inbody measurements. For sweat, the device may be provided with a modulethat analyzes user sweat and provides information on total free aminoacids, ammonia, protein concentrations, and nitrogen balance of theuser, detects a negative nitrogen balance, gives dietaryrecommendations, recommends post workout recovery meals, and recommendsa dietary and supplement plan. For workout performance, the system, andpossibly a module in the system, analyzes body mechanics during exerciseby measuring weight distribution, relative angles at joints duringexercise or body heat via thermal infrared camera. The device providescorrective user feedback on proper body mechanics during exercise. Inthe area of nutrition, the user may input daily food intake via picture,barcode scanner, or may select items consumed from a pull-down menu.Also provided or calculated are total calories, protein, carbohydrates,fat, and fiber. The system may recommend dietary changes toward fitnessgoals and may provide charts and graphs.

In the area of exercise, the system may collect or receive usersubmitted photos of gym equipment (at home or in gym), may enableinteraction with an A1 Personal Trainer, where the user communicates inreal time with the A1 Personal Trainer, time between sets, number ofreps and weight lifted, body posture via angle of shoulders to waist andfeet, and the system may recognize available equipment and build anexercise program. A trainer may observe the user while completingexercises and give real time feedback about technique. The system mayprovide motivational instruction. Recommendations by the A1 PersonalTrainer may optimize user exercise output. Physical health at work maybe assessed by calculating angle of the body while seated and doingwork, assuming the device or handheld unit is available at arepresentative workplace. The system may also calculate height of desk,chair, keyboard, and mouse. The system may recommend corrective bodyposture and ergonomic corrections to the work station. Physical healthin the case of injury may be assessed, wherein a provider or the user orother appropriate individual may input the user's injury or injuries.The device may then create an exercise regimen based on the user's needsand specific injury.

In the wellness area of sleep architecture, the system may measure roomtemperature, amount of room light, noise, track user sleep/wake cycle,and the amount of movement during sleep. The system may recommendchanges to sleep architecture. Tracks changes and saves users optimumsleep requirements. The system may also address menses, determining dateof first day of the menstrual cycle, length of bleeding, bleedingvolume, daily temperature, and may provide recommended dietary changes.

With respect to fashion, the system may assess body shape measurements,i.e. biometric points, body shape, and may measure four separatepoints—shoulders and hips, in the form of an “X.” The system, includingbut not limited to the remote device arrangement, may providerecommendations on clothing style and cut, perform “body blocking,” andprovide a “virtual 3D mannequin” of the user based on calculations. Theuser may be allowed to “try on” various styles/cuts/colors of clothingon the virtual mannequin. Based on mannequin sizes, retailers will havebetter information on the user's particular clothing needs and wants.The system may also assess secondary body measurements, determiningheight, weight, BMI, arm length, arm circumference, thigh circumference,torso length (long, short, average), breast size, shoe size/width. Fromthese secondary body measurements, the system may determine detailedbody composition, make specific suggestions as to clothing, styles, andaccessories through the device and available from retailers, andcreation of a “virtual mannequin” can increase details known about theuser's body image to both the user and a retailer. The system may alsodetermine body size changes, assessing minor and major changes in weightand body changes due to pregnancy, and providing revisions or potentialrevisions to style, size, color, and cut of clothing, as well assuggestions.

The system may also assess user demographic information, such as age,race, geographic location, profession, income, education, maritalstatus, and number of children. From this, the system can determine apresentation specifically tailored to the user, determine stylesuggestions, price points, and clothing styles relating to seasons,temperatures, and precipitation, and allows retailers to focus on aspecific consumer profile. The system may additionally determineclothing wear, possibly employing a sensor in user clothing, todetermine date of wear, number of wearings, and frequency of wearings.

With respect to cosmetics, the system may assess tone and pigmentationby determining skin undertone based on the color of the major veinaround the wrist and by blue, yellow, red content against a whitebackground. Results determined may include a 3D graph, a personal colorwheel for hair, a personal color wheel for make-up, prescription skincare recommendations, over-the-counter skin care recommendations, peelrecommendation, laser resurfacing options, and continuous updates andrecommendations. Skin category may be assessed, including determiningconsumer inputs, oil content of skin, and reflexive skin properties, andproviding a graph of skin, oily to dry, recommended moisturizing andcleansing creams. The system may also evaluate pores, determiningdistribution and spread measured by number per square centimeter andmeasure color and size of pores. From this information, the system mayprovide information including a graph, chart, updates andrecommendations, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facial cleansers,and creams.

Acne may be assessed according to distribution and spread measured bynumber per square centimeter, measurement of color and size of pores,acne location via a topographical map of the user's face, depth andheight, and cystic versus black head. Information provided and reportedmay include a graph, chart, topography, updates and recommendations,microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facial cleansers, creams, laserresurfacing, and information regarding or from a dermatologist. Scarsmay be assessed based on discoloration, size, location, depth, andheight. Again, based on this, the system may recommend or provide agraph, chart, topography, updates and recommendations,microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facial cleansers, creams, laserresurfacing, and information regarding or from a dermatologist. Skinelasticity may be assessed based on skin turgor, muscle and skin laxity,and nasolabial fold measurement. The user may be provided with a graph,topography, charts, updates and recommendations related to skinelasticity, firming products, and/or laser tightening methods.

Wrinkles may be assessed based on measurements of crow's feet around theeye, length, depth and quantity of wrinkles in particular regions, frownlines, forehead wrinkles, wrinkles around the mouth, wherein allwrinkles may be assessed based on wrinkles per square inch. The systemmay determine and provide a graph, chart, topography, updates andrecommendations, cosmetic grade skin care, medical grade skin care,Botox treatments, fillers, chemical peels, and/or specialized laserprocedures. As may be appreciated, more severe skin issues may call foradded recommendations, procedures, products, and/or treatments.

Facial hair may also be addressed by determining follicles per squareinch, coarseness, length, diameter, color, and/or location, and thesystem may provide graphs, charts, updates, and recommendations relatingto waxing, medicated creams, and laser hair removal. Facial attributesmay be assessed and recommendations or information provided. Facialattributes evaluated include shape, position of eyebrows relative toeyes, distance from medial eyebrow to medial canthus, distance fromlateral eyebrow to lateral canthus, distance of lateral canthus tomedial canthus, spread and distribution of hair per square millimeter,length and diameter of hair, shape and contour of eyes, diameter ofiris, distance measurements of eyebrows, ridge of nose, andforehead/hairline, width of eyelids, distance of the upper eyelid fromthe lower lid at multiple locations, eye color-measure by the threebasic color red, blue, yellow, color and discolorations of sclera,eyelashes measured by follicles per square millimeter, coarsenessmeasured by the length, and diameter of each hair, with informationprovided including graphs, charts, topography, updates, andrecommendations regarding shaping, make up, medications, Botox, and evensurgery.

Facial symmetry of hair may be assessed, determining length of foreheadand measurement of trichion to glabella. The system may recommend facialhair profiles and may provide graphs, charts, and updates. General faceshape may be assessed, including measurements of trichion to menton, earlobe to ear lobe, trichion to glabella, trichion to arch of eyebrows,infratip of nose to menton, menton to mandible, mandible to preauricular points, and/or length of filtrum. Results provided may includegraphs, charts, topography (as used herein, topography includes maps andor data related to topography of the particular feature(s) or region),updates, and recommendations including hair, make up, and jewelry.

Measurements and determinations of particular features may be made,including but not limited to nose, lips, cheeks, jaw lines, chin, andneck, with assessments made using cameras and any other appropriatedevices or modules. Graphs, charts, topographies, and updates may beprovided as well as feature specific recommendations, such as makeup,surgical procedures, makeup, fillers, moisturizers, treatments (e.g.Botox), and so forth.

Teeth may also be assessed based on measurement of teeth size,separation distance of teeth, angle of teeth, color or shade, and/orcolor of gums (measured by red, blue, and yellow against white). In thiscosmetics area, other outside factors may be assessed—currentmedications and/or current diagnoses, for example. The system may makespecialized recommendations pertaining to skin health with thesemedications and diagnoses, and may make recommendations of supplementsand/or foods to maintain skin health.

Certain personality factors may be determined, such as desired lookduring the day or night, age, gender, geographical location, income,and/or occupation. From this, the system may determine graphs andcharts, and may make recommendations such as color pallets andapplication instructions.

In the area of pharmaceuticals, the present system may make additionalassessments and may determine recommendations and provide information toassist the user in his or her personal care. One area is prescriptionmedications, wherein the system collects user name, quantity, dose,administration, duration of usage, refills, adverse reactions, use inspecific populations, over dosage symptoms, over dosage signs,prescriber name, prescriber address, prescriber phone number, pharmacyname, pharmacy address, pharmacy phone number, controlled substanceschedule (if applicable), price per unit, and medication expirationdate. Certain information may be collected from third party sources ifavailable, as is the case with other functions performed by the system.For example, if the medication is known, the system may submit a queryseeking adverse reactions, or if a pharmacist is known, the system mayseek the address and telephone number of the pharmacy from an onlinesource. As may be appreciated, such specialized functionality must beprovided in the system, i.e. seeking information from a particular site,seeking the specific information needed, and obtaining the information.The device may perform this functionality, or such functionality may beperformed by the remote device arrangement or a person associated withthe remote device arrangement.

Information provided by the system may include a drug interactionsalert, a refill alert, alternative medications options, genericmedication options, an electronic update of current medication list tothe device cloud, filling of the pill dispenser, lock filling intomedication drawers if applicable, providing alternative price per unitinformation from other suppliers, an expiration date alert, and a nextdose alert through cloud based system.

Over the counter supplements and supplies may also be assessed andinformation provided. Assessments may include name, quantity, dose,administration, duration of usage, refills, adverse reactions, use inspecific populations, over dosage symptoms, over dosage signs,prescriber name, prescriber address, prescriber phone number, storename, store address, store phone number, price per unit, and/orexpiration date. The information provided to the user may include asupplement interactions alert, a refill alert, alternative supplementoptions, an electronic update of current medication list, filling of adispenser, alternative price per unit from other suppliers, and/orcoupon options from suppliers.

Health markers may also be assessed. Information assessed may includeIndication(s) for particular drugs (allergies, etc.), heart rate,temperature, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure, urine analysis, blood analysis, breathanalysis, weight, body pH level, sclera color, pupil size, lip coloranalysis, skin color analysis, mini mental status exam, pain scale,electrocardiogram, and/or BMI. The system may take these inputs and makerelevant determinations including a score, raw data, percentile, chartor graph, measurement of physical or mental response to a medication orsupplement, possible medication or supplement overdose symptoms alert,and possible medication or supplement overdose signs alert.

Dispensing of prescriptions may be assessed and information provided.Assessments may include name, quantity, dose, administration, durationof usage, and refills. The system may provide a visual display of one ormore of the following: substance name, substance remaining quantity,substance dosage, route of administration, allowed refills, and/orsubstance expiration date.

The present design may be used in various scenarios, including but notlimited to use of the design for pets or animals as well as plants inaddition to human personal care. In the pet scenario, the device maymonitor a pet, such as a body temperature of a pet, using a module,and/or the location of a pet, such as using a collar with a GPScomponent or other position determining device. In the horticulturearrangement, for example, plant health may be monitored and plant careprovided as appropriate. In one instance, a device may measure amount ofwater available to a tree, and if deficient, may notify a person orservice to provide water to the plant, or may cause a sprinkler orwatering apparatus to turn on automatically.

Interactive Diary

The present design further includes an interactive diary functionwherein the user can keep track of information and data related to hisor her personal care and such information can be employed to betterprovide personal care for the user, either from an off sitelocation/central server device or arrangement or from the device itself.The interactive diary tracks pertinent parameters to the individual userin the area of personal care and wellness and may offer at least onerecommendation. Interactive diaries for personal health and wellness maybe offered in but not limited to the areas of health, fitness andsports, fashion, cosmetics, education, travel, finance, nutrition,pharmaceuticals, pets and/or horticulture. For example, the currentdesign may monitor blood pressure and may track blood pressure. However,blood pressure is merely one data point in a plurality of data pointsrelated to an individual user, and when blood pressure is considered inconnection with factors such as blood pressure readings over time,family history, weight, salt intake over time, smoking history, coffeeintake over time, level of exercise, a more complete representation ofthe person may be determined. In such a situation, the individual may beencouraged to reduce coffee intake and/or exercise in a manner conduciveto her ability. For example, if she has back issues, this may be knownand encouragement to swim a certain amount per day three days per weekmight be recommended. A different person with a different profile but anidentical blood pressure reading may be encouraged to decrease saltintake, reduce smoking, and to increase exercise by running two milesinstead of 1.5 miles every day. The interactive diary functionencourages the user to provide more information and obtains a morecomplete profile of the individual. In another example, the user mayseek to purchase a new shirt; certain options may be offered to him,such as collar style, buttons, cut, sleeve length, etc., and the programmay recognize prior preferences using the interactive diary and offercertain options to the user based on past history or indicated learnedpreferences.

A further example is in the area of sports where an interactive diaryfor a child playing any sport can be functionally tailored to act as aninteractive diary used by a professional athlete. The interactive diarymay, as one example, collect and track sizes and functionality ofcertain muscles and ligaments, nutritional requirements and goals, trackprogression of skill sets desired, as well as vital signs affected byeach workout. Also, the desired and available fashions for that sport aswell as skilled coaching recommendations tailored to that specificathlete, whether a child or a professional athlete sharing the samesport tenure, may be assessed and recommendations provided as desired.

The interactive diary consists of collecting information at the devicein accordance with the foregoing design, including collectinginformation using the modules provided that are interchangeable and as aresult specific to the user. The information collected may be passed tothe central server arrangement or an offsite location and may be storedand/or processed offsite. Alternately, the device may store and processthe information, or both local and remote devices may offer part or allof certain interactive diary functions.

FIG. 16 illustrates an appearance of a screen operating in accordancewith the interactive diary function, and this may be offered on thepersonal care device discussed above or other appropriate hardware. FromFIG. 16, there is provided a central region 1601 and various peripheralregions including upper region 1602, left region 1603, right region1604, and lower region 1605. A single control button 1606 causes areturn to a central or top screen when pushed irrespective of the activescreen.

Central region 1601 may include traces of information being measured,i.e. the biofeedback being measured using a module or modules and themirror device. The buttons presented in FIG. 16 may either be hard,physical buttons or may be soft buttons activated by user touch. Buttonsin the top row generally correspond to readings taken of the user'shealth, including but not limited to blood pressure, heart rate, EKG,cardiac output, body temperature, urine output, and BMI (body massindex). In one embodiment, pushing the button once results in the systemshowing a tracing of the parameter in the central screen. Pushing twicemaximizes the central screen to cover the entire screen, and pushing thebutton for a predetermined amount of time, such as three seconds, thecentral screen is maximized and user editing is enabled, such as editingof urine output, etc., using a keyboard, voice, or in some other mannerin accordance with the device and system described above.

Left region 1603 includes certain activities that are or may be relevantto the individual user, including but not limited to food consumed,beverage consumed, caffeine consumed, alcohol consumed, fitness andexercise accomplished, stress factors, and smoking. The user may enterwhat he or she consumed or did, and this may be tracked or attributesdisplayed. The lower region 1605 may include various symptoms and/orprescriptions taken, including but not limited to choices such asheadache, dizziness, vision issues, ED (erectile dysfunction),infection, cramps, and supplements, vitamins, medicines, etc. In thisembodiment, a single push of the associated button may provide a timeand date stamp and propagates the selection to desired locations, localand remote. Two pushes maximizes the screen and a three second buttonpush in one embodiment allows editing of the entry, such as supplementtaken, type of vision issue, duration and severity of headache, and soforth.

A lowest region 1608 includes other relevant functionality, and mayinclude selections for internet, email, phone, or desired applicationsor clusters of applications. Different functions may be provided, andselecting these buttons takes the user to the selected option.

A photo/video button 1607 may also be provided. Pushing beverage andpushing photo/video button 1607 causes a photo or video file to becreated or identified and the photo or video can be provided to abeverage file storage device or area. In various instances, selection ofone of the buttons in left region 1603 provides an associated screen forentry of further information, e.g. quantity of beverage consumed, typeof medication taken, headache severity, etc. Selection of the parametersoffered, or entry of data according to the parameters offered may bestored and processed locally and/or remotely.

Right region 1604 in the embodiment shown includes four functions. Thetop button is an intelligent ID (Interactive Diary) button 1606 thatreturns to a top level for all screens except the main screen. Thesecond button is favorite contacts, and may include name, phonenumber(s), email address, and may include emergency numbers. A limitednumber of contacts may be provided, or if desired, as many as requested,or all. Selecting one of the contacts may put the user in touch withthat contact. The bottom two elements may be streaming media andadvertising if desired by the user and/or a provider, such as a serviceprovider.

The central window, or central region 1601, shows a corresponding pagewhen one of the peripheral buttons is selected. Buttons may change toaccommodate enhanced functionality. The corresponding page may be a homepage, a selected page, an image, or other appropriate page. The devicecamera may be activated by selecting “photo/video” on the central region1601. Selection of “biofeedback” when the user is being monitoredprovides the monitored results to the user, such as a graph, with otherfactors provided as appropriate, such as consumption of foods,beverages, smoking, etc. when monitoring blood pressure, temperature,etc. Positive factors may be provided in one color while negativefactors may be provided in a different color. Selecting a button twice,such as the biofeedback button, may maximize the biofeedback screen.Selecting the button for a particular amount of time allows the user toedit parameters.

The system may also provide recommendations. Recommendations may bedynamically updated and may include recommendations on food, diet,supplements, hydration, fitness and exercise, biofeedbackrecommendations including options such as meditation, medicationrecommendations, including when to monitor intake, sodium intake,alcohol intake, caffeine intake, smoking, and stress avoidancerecommendations.

The system may operate according to the representation of FIG. 17 withrespect to the interactive diary. From FIG. 17, the device initiallymeasures parameters associated with the user using the device describedherein and the various modules applicable to the particular user. As anexample, the user may measure her temperature over a series of sessions,or even over a single session. The data measured is stored at point 1702for the particular user. At point 1703, which may be user initiated,system initiated, periodic, or otherwise instantiated, the system takesavailable information as appropriate and compares this information withknown recommendations and/or rules and may optionally query the user atpoint 1704 and provides recommendations and/or necessary information forthe user in point 1705. As an example of the querying at point 1704, ifthe patient is a young man who has seen a rise in his temperature, sucha rise in temperature may be unexpected but the user may be providedwith questions or recommendations such as “are you feeling ill?” “do youhave a headache?” “do you have a normal appetite?” and so forth in aneffort to identify the problem. The user may be presented withinformation at point 1705 such as “Jeff, you have an elevatedtemperature. You should drink fluids over the next 24 hours, and it isrecommended you drink six glasses of water in the next day. Please takeyour temperature again in approximately four hours” or somethingsimilar.

While health has been the focus in many of the examples provided, otherpersonal care functions may be similarly offered and buttons provided oradded that provide functionality in the other personal care fields. Byway of example and not limitation, clothing preferences may be selectedor input or provided by a user, such as I purchased shirt X and likethis shirt very much—I like the color and fit, but I do not like thecollar (too narrow) and color and style of the buttons. This informationcan be provided by the user at point 1701 and stored at point 1702. Atpoint 1703, the system takes available information as appropriate, suchas the jacket being considered, and compares this information with knownrecommendations and/or rules in point 1704, e.g. clothing preferences,likes, dislikes, etc., and provides provide recommendations and/ornecessary information for the user in point 1705, such as “this jacketshould work for you in size and style but may be too large in theshoulders.”

Various menus may be provided to guide the user through what he or shehas done or encountered. For example, in the food realm, the user may beguided through screens such as dairy, meat/protein, grains, salads,vegetables, fruit, junk food, miscellaneous, etc., Beyond this, forexample, if dairy is selected, the user may be directed toyogurt/cottage cheese, milk, cheese, ice cream, etc., and once selected,the user may specify the quantity consumed, e.g. number of ounces orfluid ounces. There may be overlap between menus, such as if a“non-alcoholic beverage” is selected, choices such as water, softdrinks, sports beverage, juice drink, milk, etc. may be provided.

As an alternate, the user may enter a choice, purchase, or relevantinformation manually, e.g. typing in “6 ounces of kombucha” whenkombucha is not offered as a selection. Such an entry may be consideredby the system, including but not limited to by a human, the manuallyentered information classified or categorized, and the system maypropagate changes to individual or all devices deployed in the field.For example, the kombucha entry may be determined to be a drink havingcertain benefits, and may be categorized or considered in relation tothe person's digestive and/or overall health, and a kombucha option maybe provided for the user, a group of users, or all users and consideredin the future.

In the exercise realm, the user may be presented with a question as tothe type of activity performed and duration of the activity in somemeasurable quantity (miles run, time spent, stairs run, etc.) Examplesof activities may include but are not limited to walking, running,playing basketball, baseball, hockey, fencing, golf, as well asactivities such as gardening, backpacking, mowing lawns, shoveling snow,skipping rope, stair climbing, rowing, weight training, housework,dancing, etc. If desired, such activities and quantities may beconverted into a measurement such as calories (believed) expended, basedon attributes such as activity, time spent, weight of the user, etc.

Stress values may also be measured, such as the user identifying aparticular category or classification of stress, e.g. work, homefinancial, children, parents, other, as may smoking, e.g. cigarettes,cigars, pipes, vaporizers, hookahs, marijuana, and so forth.

Issues such as headaches can be broken into components forselection/reporting by the user, such as location (front, right side,left side, top, back), intensity (e.g. scale of 1 to 10) and type (dull,sharp, throbbing, numb, gripping, migraine, “worst ever,” etc.)Dizziness may be quantified, such as by vertigo, standing dizziness,lying down dizziness, or otherwise. Vision issues can be quantified, forexample, as blurry vision, tunnel vision, floaters, flashing light, lossof vision, or red eye. Infections, ED, and other afflictions may also bequantified or categorized as appropriate.

As may be appreciated from the foregoing including the depiction in FIG.17, the system may provide recommendations, diagnoses, ask foradditional information, or simply collect data without providing anyfeedback, where all of the foregoing is selected by the user and/or acentral server. If someone does not want to receive comment orrecommendation, such as for a purchase of a particular cosmetic, he orshe can disable this or simply not look at or give any weight to arecommendation or suggestion or diagnosis.

With respect to blood pressure, for example, systolic and diastolicblood pressure may be combined into a blood pressure or “BP” functionoffered on the top page. Selection of the button may cause a transitionto a health page or screen. The system may employ blood pressure cuffsor other appropriate devices used together with an appropriate module toassess blood pressure of the user (SBP, DBP and heart rate may bemeasured). A time stamp and/or GPS location may be provided. Otherscreens and other functions may be provided in a similar manner (BMI,etc.)

Thus the current system measures parameters relating to the individualand collects these parameters, either locally or remotely or both, thenassesses the parameters, again either locally, remotely, or both, tomake a determination about the user and/or a recommendation relating tohealth, fashion, cosmetics, etc. For example, if the user is interestedin purchasing a particular skin cosmetic, she may provide theinformation of the cosmetic (brand, type, product number, SKU number, orother identifier) and the system may search previously purchasedcosmetics, as well as preferences for or issues with previouslyidentified cosmetics, and may indicate such a cosmetic recommendation,such as “not preferred” or “too dark based on previous liked purchases”or “product X is what you should purchase based on past expressedpreferences.” The user may be periodically prompted to updatepreferences. For example, fashions may change, and what the user likedlast year may be disliked this year, and he may be consulted about pastindicated preferences, particularly when a contrary preference isprovided. For example, if a man is interested in purchasing a pair ofloafers but had previously only expressed an interest in tie shoes, hemay be queried if he prefers loafers, does not have an interest in tieshoes, or prefers something about the loafers in particular.

The interactive diary may be digital and may include artificialintelligence in addition to or rather than rules based decision making,and such artificial intelligence may be embedded in the personal caredevice or a remote device.

Thus the present system compiles the information using the interactivediary, either passively (without user input) or actively (e.g. byengaging the user, asking questions based on the action or situationpresented), assesses the information generally by category, and makesrecommendations or provides information to the user, or solicitsadditional specific information, in either general instances (e.g.displaying a target heart rate during exercise, displaying prior bloodpressure readings when taking blood pressure) or specific instances(when the user is considering buying a brown blouse, indicating such acolor generally does not match her skin tone, or when queried by theuser, suggesting running four days per week instead of two to achieve adesired health/weight goal). Such functionality may include progressingthrough logic trees or other logic progressions wherein information isassessed and suggestions or information provided for the benefit of theuser.

Health Band

A further aspect of the present design is provided in FIG. 18. From FIG.18, there is presented a health band 1800 that may optionally beprovided and sized for a finger or a wrist of a person. Parts of thehealth band 1800, including but not limited to sections 1801A-E, may beformed of a flexible material in order to fit loosely around mostpersons.

While FIG. 18 is a side view that shows different non-joined flexiblematerial sections or segments, it is to be understood that flexiblematerial may be provided in some or all pieces or segments, where oneillustration of a design wherein flexible material is provided in allsegments is shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 only represents part of the healthband, and flexible segments 1901A-D are shown, where segments 1901A and1901C are essentially completely formed of flexible material, whilesegments 1901B and 1901D are partially formed from flexible material.Functional units 1902 and 1903 presented, which may be functional unitsor components such as those shown in FIG. 18 and described below.

From FIG. 18, a processing module 1802A is shown connected in thisembodiment to screen 1802B, as well as, inflatable cuffs 1803, 1804,1805 and 1806, and lock/adjustment element of 1807. Other modules and/orfunctional components may be provided that facilitate additionalpatient/user personal sensing functionality, additional transmission orreception or processing functionality, and/or different patienttreatment functionality.

Processing module 1802A may include a display screen and hard or softbuttons selectable by the user. Processing module 1802A may furtherinclude transmission and reception capability (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,cellular, and/or any other transmission and reception capability known).Such a device may transmit information to and receive data for thepersonal care device described herein and/or other remote devices. Datamay be transmitted to and received from the cloud directly orindirectly, and the processing module 1802A may be connected in anyavailable and appropriate manner, such as by wire, to the otherfunctional components shown, i.e. the inflatable cuffs. Sensors, such asgyroscopic sensors that sense motion, may also be provided.

Inflatable cuffs 1803, 1804, 1805 and 1806 are simply cuffs or cuffcomponents that are inflatable, inflatable by the user using air oranother fluid and may include a valve to receive or expel fluid and maybe inflatable in order to fit the user as desired. In FIG. Y, two of theinflatable cuffs 1803 and 1804 include a device such as a V-chip (notshown) and a retractable needle, e.g. retractable needle 1808. A V-Chipis a relatively new technology that is small, in its current form thesize of a credit card, and analyzes a blood sample for various maladies.A drop of blood may, for example, indicate a cholesterol level. Ingeneral the current V-Chip, developed by Houston Methodist, includes twolayers of glass where one layer includes a series of grooves. The otherlayer of glass includes openings or wells that include differentantibodies, lipids, DNA/RNA pieces, and other components such as acatalyst enzyme and a dye. When blood is provided to the grooved side,the sample binds to the material in the wells, and such bindingactivates the catalase enzyme. Resulting oxygen pushes dye up thechannel and the results can be read by a person like a bar chart, oralternately, by a reading device or a dye sensing device. In oneembodiment, a material other than dye may be provided that can be sensedby the system in a particular manner—electrically, volumetrically, orotherwise. However, when using the current contemplated V-Chip design,the present design may further include a visual reading component, suchas a camera and software configured to determine height of the dyewithin the grooves provided.

In operation, the inflatable cuff component 1803 or 1804 may employ theneedle, for example retractable needle 1808, to extract a drop of bloodfrom the user and may provide that drop of blood to a V-Chip foranalysis. Optical analysis of the V-Chip may occur, using an opticalsensor (not shown), and results provided to the processing module 1802A.Processing module 1802A may assess the results of the blood extractionand may alternately provide the results to a remote device for analysis.

As may be appreciated, the extraction of blood is carried out in ahygienic manner, potentially including application of alcohol or otherappropriate cleaning/sterilizing materials to the user before and/orafter extracting blood, and other sterilization techniques may be usedas appropriate. Such techniques may require a liquid reservoir and apressure applicator to apply a liquid, for example, again usingconnections to processing module 1802A.

A lock and adjustment component 1807 may also be provided enablingattachment, removal, and size adjustment for the health band. Alsopictured in this embodiment is a sound sensor or microphone component1809 used to sense voice commands or other sound attributes, such asalarms. The sound sensor or microphone component 1809 may be connectedto processing module 1802A to receive and process sounds sensed, andvoice translation functionality may be provided in processing module1802A. As an example, the user may say “draw blood,” such a statementmay be received by sound sensor or microphone component 1810 andprocessed by processing module 1802A to draw blood using inflatable cuffcomponent 1803 and retractable needle 1808.

The health band may be provided for a wrist of a user and may beprovided as a ring, and the components may be inflated or substitutedwith different components to enable the user to wear the device on anyfinger and/or body parts such as around or near an ankle if desired.

Thus according to the present design, vital signs may be assessed,including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, integrity ofcapillary refill, and temperature, and certain lab work may beperformed, such as collection and analysis of blood or sweat, and healthand fitness may be monitored.

Portable Dispenser

An additional aspect of the present design is a portable dispenser, suchas a portable pill dispenser, with one representation shown in FIG. 20.From FIG. 20, portable pill dispenser 2001 is generally rectangular inshape but may take different forms or shapes. Screen 2002 may be anytype of appropriate screen, including a flexible OLED screen, thatdisplays user specific and pill dispenser specific information. As anexample, the screen 2002 may display an indication that the user is totake his/her pills, may display information such as the number of pillscontained, reminders to renew prescriptions, and other relatedinformation. Alternately or in addition, non-pill dispenser relevantinformation may be provided on screen 2002, and the pill dispenser maybe electronically or wirelessly or otherwise connected to a personalcare device as disclosed herein. As an example, news, advertisements, orother desired information may be provided to screen 2002 of portablepill dispenser 2001.

Portable pill dispenser 2001 includes processor 2003 and a transmitter,such as transmitter 2004, connected to processor 2003 and configured tocommunicate (transmit/receive) to a remote device or devices, such as apersonal care device as disclosed herein or a central server. Theprocessor 2003 may transmit and receive communications in anyappropriate manner, including but not limited to Bluetooth, WiFi,cellular/wireless, and may be connected to the internet/cloud to provideor receive information. For example, when the user receives andpresumably takes a pill or medicine, the information (pill, time taken,and other relevant information) may be transmitted to a personal caredevice as disclosed herein or a central server, or to the cloud forstorage and subsequent retrieval by the device or another appropriatedevice.

Also shown in FIG. 20 is an arrangement of levels, shown by markings2005 through 2007 in this view. Any number of levels may be provided,depending on height of the portable pill dispenser 2001. Markings 2005through 2007 represent positions where the top or the bottom of aprescription tray may be positioned, and may be one of a number of suchpositions, which may be physically marked or merely represent thedesired position of the prescription tray(s) described below.Microphones 2008 and 2009 and speakers 2010 and 2011 may also beprovided, and more or fewer microphones and speakers may be provided, toreceive voice commands or other sounds and may be connected to processor2003 for processing received voice commands or sounds, such as “give memy next pills” or otherwise. Speakers 2010 and 2011 may provide soundsadvising the user of relevant information, such as “time to take yournoon pills” or otherwise. Also shown in this view is serving drawer2012, used to provide the user with a prescription tray as describedbelow. Power unit 2013 may be a self contained power unit, such asincluding batteries to drive the spring or ratchet device and power theprescription tray out serving drawer 2012. Alternately or additionally,a power or charging cord 2014, shown as an optional dotted line, may beemployed to power the dispenser 2001.

FIG. 21 illustrates one embodiment of a prescription tray 2101 accordingto the present design. The prescription tray 2101 may take differentforms, and may be produced from any appropriate material, including butnot limited to plastic, production by a 3D printer, metal, composite,compressed paper, or biodegradable material. In the prescription tray2101 shown in FIG. 21, two halves are presented, left half 2102including two slots 2103 and 2104 and right half 2105 including threeslots 2106, 2107, and 2108. Each slot in left half 2102 and right half2105 is intended for consumption by the user/patient at a particulartime in the day, such as left half 2102 from noon to midnight, and righthalf 2105 from midnight to noon. More or fewer sections may be provided,including a single section in the tray rather than the two shown,depending on the user and the medications provided. In certaininstances, more than one prescription tray 2101 may be needed and may beprovided in a prescribed order, e.g. morning prescriptions first in afirst prescription tray and evening prescriptions second in a secondprescription tray. Information may be printed on the prescription tray2101, such as the prescription name, time the prescription should betaken, user name, and/or other relevant information.

The slots 2103, 2104, 2106, 2107, and 2108 are preferably sized for theprescription provided and may receive or include the pill or drug withinan opening or slot in the prescription tray 2101. While described hereinas prescriptions, virtually anything may be provided, includingconsumables such as vitamins, aspirin, supplements, etc. While called a“pill dispenser” herein, it is to be understood that the present designis not limited to pills and may dispense any appropriate product oritem. And while solid pills are contemplated, the design is not solimited; materials such as liquids may be provided with an appropriatecover, e.g. a plastic cover over the liquid contained in a slot, andmultiple pills or items may be provided within a slot, and slots maytake different forms depending on circumstances.

In the case of a 3D printer, the prescription tray 2101 may be printedbased on a computerized database of size and shape of the pill or item,with appropriate size buffer provided, e.g. 1 mm on each side more thanthe size of the pill in question.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20 there is provided a mechanism that advanceseach prescription tray at a desired time or under desired circumstances.In a situation where the user is a responsible adult and no children areof concern, the pill dispenser 2001 may simply advance each prescriptiontray in order, using for example a spring mechanism (not shown) thatpushes the stack of prescription trays upward for removal from theserving drawer 2012. Alternately, a spring type mechanism may beprovided with a timer, or another advancement mechanism, such as aratcheting mechanism, may be provided such that prescription traysadvance only at a desired time. In all instances, the prescription tray,when advanced, is removed via serving drawer 2012, and the servingdrawer 2012 may be mechanically provided to push the tray out from thepill dispenser 2001 at an appropriate time, using a force member drivenby the processor 2003 provided. Timing of advancement may be provided byprocessor 2003, e.g. it is now midnight and a next prescription trayshould be advanced, commanding a release of a spring or other mechanicaladvancement and possibly ejecting a next prescription tray from theserving drawer 2012.

FIG. 22 shows a further representation of the dispenser embodiment,including a version of the dispenser 2201 with prescription traysrepresented as stacked therein, and a second version of the dispenser2202 with one prescription tray 2203 being ejected and the deliverydrawer 2204 opened and not shown in the dispenser 2202 representation asit has been flipped downward. Thus the delivery drawer 2204 may behinged or alternately retracted. In these embodiments, a photo cell (notshown) may be employed in association with a processing module todetermine whether and when the tray is received by the user.

Thus the present design further provides a dispenser, such as a pilldispenser, that facilitates providing prescriptions or other consumablesat desired times or under desired conditions, with an ability tointerface with the personal care device and system disclosed herein.

The present design may therefore include hardware and devices configuredto facilitate personal care of a user. Personal care and otherfunctionality may be provided in, for example, the areas of health,fitness, wellness, fashion, cosmetics, and/or pharmaceuticals. Thesystem may include a device configured to receive personal healthrelated modules, which are interchangeable, and may include a devicehaving a mirror or reflective surface that acts as a computing devicedisplay. The device may include processing and data storagecapabilities, and the user may freely exchange personal care modules asdesired. The device may collect information and may provide theinformation to a remote device arrangement, including but not limited tothe internet “cloud” and may process the information received. As anexample, information regarding a desired weight goal may be provided,and health recommendations may be transmitted from the remote devicearrangement to the device and the user. A handheld unit configured toreceive information and possibly process the information may be providedso that the user may take the handheld unit with her to a remotelocation. Information for multiple devices may be maintained at theremote device arrangement, and differing levels of service may beprovided. An interactive diary may be provided that tracks attributes ofeach user and may process data to provide recommendations andinformation as appropriate to the user, determined specifically for theuser according to his or her personal data collected over time in theareas of health, fitness, wellness, fashion, cosmetics, and/orpharmaceuticals. A health band and/or pill dispenser may also beprovided.

The present design, in one embodiment, may therefore include anapparatus comprising a personal care display device comprising aplurality of connection ports, each connection port configured tophysically interconnect with a hardware personal care module, whereinpersonal care comprises health care, and a remote central server devicearrangement. The personal care display device is configured to transmituser personal care communications personalized to the user to andreceive user personal care communications personalized to the user fromthe remote central server device arrangement, for the user to freelysubstitute selected and different hardware personal care modules in theplurality of connection ports, and to maintain an interactive diary forthe user, the interactive diary configured to collect informationregarding personal care assessed for the user over a period of timeusing at least one personal care module and enable the personal caredevice to make recommendations related to and based upon the informationcollected regarding personal care. One hardware personal care modulecomprises a health care personal care module used with the personal caredisplay device to assess user health care needs and provide health careinformation and recommendations specifically for the user to the user.

Alternately, the present design may include a method for facilitatingpersonal care of a user, comprising receiving, at a remote centralserver device arrangement, user personal care data personalized to theuser transmitted by a user personal care display device, determining atthe remote central server device arrangement a user personal carerecommendation specifically for the user based on the user personal caredata personalized to the user received, transmitting the user personalcare recommendation specifically for the user from a transmitterprovided with the remote central server device to the user personal caredisplay device, and maintaining an interactive diary for the user, theinteractive diary configured to collect information regarding personalcare assessed for the user over a period of time using at least onepersonal care module and enable the personal care device to makerecommendations related to and based upon the information collectedregarding personal care. The user personal care display device comprisesa plurality of connection ports, each connection port configured toreceive a hardware personal care module. Personal care in thisembodiment comprises health care. One personal care module comprises ahealth care personal care module used with the personal care displaydevice to assess user health care needs and provide health careinformation and recommendations specifically for the user to the user.

According to a further embodiment, there is provided a personal caredisplay device comprising a computing device display and a housingsurrounding the computing device display, the housing comprising aplurality of connection ports configured to physically interconnect withhardware personal care modules, wherein personal care comprises healthcare. The personal care device is configured to maintain an interactivediary for the user, the interactive diary interactive diary configuredto collect information regarding personal care assessed for the userover a period of time using at least one personal care module and enablethe personal care device to make recommendations related to and basedupon the information collected regarding personal care. One hardwarepersonal care module comprises a health care personal care module usedwith the personal care display to assess user health care needs andprovide health care information and recommendations specifically for theuser to the user.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments reveals the generalnature of the disclosure sufficiently that others can, by applyingcurrent knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt the system and method forvarious applications without departing from the general concept.Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are within the meaning andrange of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. The phraseology orterminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a personal care displaydevice comprising a plurality of connection ports, each connection portconfigured to physically interconnect with a hardware personal caremodule, wherein personal care comprises health care; and a remotecentral server device arrangement; wherein the personal care displaydevice is configured: to transmit user personal care communicationspersonalized to the user to and receive user personal carecommunications personalized to the user from the remote central serverdevice arrangement; for the user to freely substitute selected anddifferent hardware personal care modules in the plurality of connectionports; and to maintain an interactive diary for the user, theinteractive diary configured to collect information regarding personalcare assessed for the user over a period of time using at least onepersonal care module and enable the personal care device to makerecommendations related to and based upon the information collectedregarding personal care; wherein one hardware personal care modulecomprises a health care personal care module used with the personal caredisplay device to assess user health care needs and provide health careinformation and recommendations specifically for the user to the user.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the personal care display devicecomprises a computing device display that functions as a reflectivesurface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one connectionport comprises a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection port.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the personal care display device isconfigured to predict personal care attributes based on the informationcollected regarding personal care.
 5. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe personal care display device comprises a storage unit andcommunication components configured to facilitate communication with theremote central server device arrangement.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the personal care display device comprises at least one from thegroup consisting of a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a sensor, and afingerprint reader.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising ahandheld unit configured to interface with the personal care displaydevice and collect user personal care data, wherein the handheld unitcomprises at least one connection port configured to receive a hardwarepersonal care module.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the personalcare display device is separately formed from a frame surrounding adisplay, and the frame includes the plurality of connection ports.
 9. Amethod for facilitating personal care of a user, comprising: receiving,at a remote central server device arrangement, user personal care datapersonalized to the user transmitted by a user personal care displaydevice; determining at the remote central server device arrangement auser personal care recommendation specifically for the user based on theuser personal care data personalized to the user received; transmittingthe user personal care recommendation specifically for the user from atransmitter provided with the remote central server device to the userpersonal care display device; and maintaining an interactive diary forthe user, the interactive diary configured to collect informationregarding personal care assessed for the user over a period of timeusing at least one personal care module and enable the personal caredevice to make recommendations related to and based upon the informationcollected regarding personal care; wherein the user personal caredisplay device comprises a plurality of connection ports, eachconnection port configured to receive a hardware personal care module;wherein personal care comprises health care; wherein one personal caremodule comprises a health care personal care module used with thepersonal care display device to assess user health care needs andprovide health care information and recommendations specifically for theuser to the user.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the remote devicecentral server device arrangement comprises a plurality of computingdevices.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the user personal care datareceived has been collected using a hardware personal care moduleconnected to the user personal care display device, the hardwarepersonal care module comprising software facilitating performance of atleast one personal care function.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein theuser personal care data received has been collected using a handheldunit configured to provide the user personal care data to the userpersonal care display device.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein thepersonal care display device is configured to predict personal careattributes based on the information collected regarding personal care.14. A personal care display device, comprising: a computing devicedisplay; and a housing surrounding the computing device display, thehousing comprising a plurality of connection ports configured tophysically interconnect with hardware personal care modules, whereinpersonal care comprises health care; wherein the personal care device isconfigured to maintain an interactive diary for the user, theinteractive diary interactive diary configured to collect informationregarding personal care assessed for the user over a period of timeusing at least one personal care module and enable the personal caredevice to make recommendations related to and based upon the informationcollected regarding personal care; wherein one hardware personal caremodule comprises a health care personal care module used with thepersonal care display to assess user health care needs and providehealth care information and recommendations specifically for the user tothe user.
 15. The personal care display device of claim 14, furthercomprising a processor, a data storage device, and a communicationarrangement.
 16. The personal care display device of claim 15, furthercomprising a handheld unit configured to collect user personal care dataand provide the user personal care data to the processor.
 17. Thepersonal care display device of claim 14, wherein at least oneconnection port comprises a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection port.18. The personal care display device of claim 14, wherein the personalcare display device is configured to predict personal care attributesbased on the information collected regarding personal care.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the personal care display device comprisesa television having a central screen and an outer frame, the personalcare display device configured with functional hardware components. 20.The personal care display device of claim 16, wherein varying levels ofservice may be provided with the personal care display device dependingon quality of service desired by the user.